The Regional Master Plan forms a regionally-agreed framework for the planning and management of each MPA in the regional network. The objectives and policies represented in the Regional Master Plan were designed to facilitate regional consistency in regional MPA management, while at the same time taking into account the similarities and differences existing among the individual MPAs. The Plan specifically includes guidelines of planning, zoning, research and monitoring, public awareness, stakeholder participation, sustainable financing and management personnel requirements. Furthermore, the development of a Regional Master Plan for MPAs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is consistent with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and also parallels developments in a number of other regional sea areas (e.g. the Caribbean and Mediterranean) where similar regional networks of MPAs have been established.

Surveys, Research and Monitoring:

A rapid-assessment survey of the proposed MPA sites at Aibat and Saad ad-Din in NW Somalia was carried out in March 2001 as a pilot study. Using the experience gained from this work a set of survey designs were prepared for the other proposed MPAs including both biological and resource use (socio-economic and fisheries) components, and a Regional Survey Guide was developed.The methods for the biological surveys were based on the Standard Survey Methods prepared through the HBC component. Rapid assessment methods provided an overall assessment of the nature and condition of each site, including habitats, species and human impacts.

National surveys were conducted in 2003 at each of the proposed MPA sites, which then led to the development of specific Master Plans with management guidelines at the country level. This approach resulted in higher endorsement for existing areas as well as the declaration of new areas, and recognized the greater regional context within which each MPA functions.

As per its mandate, PERSGA provides support to its Member States in their declarations of MPAs. In this regards, meetings were held in January 2003 with key government representatives to promote the declaration of marine protected areas in Sudan and Yemen. Discussions focussed on the legal and institutional frameworks required and the steps to be taken for declaration. In May 2003 the Governorate of the Red Sea State, Sudan, consented to the declaration of Dungonab as an MPA and a letter to that effect was sent to the federal government in Khartoum. In December 2003, a new law was approved by the Council of Ministers of the Djiboutian government that declared the Isles des Sept Frères/Ras Siyyan site as a protected area.